Minister of Information Michael Makuei Lueth - Photo: Awan Moses/Eye Radio

The government spokesperson Michael Makuei has called for calm among South Sudanese over the Nadapal clashes at the border with Kenya “as the government addresses” the issue.

On Monday, authorities in Eastern Equatoria State reported intense fighting in Kapoeta East between the Toposa communities and armed men from Turkana tribe in neighboring Kenya.

According to a lawmaker, the fighting started on Sunday when the Turkana tribesmen attacked parts of Narus Payam and raided an unspecified number of cattle.

MP Peter Lobei said the Toposa youth then mobilized and staged a reprisal attack on the foreign cattle herders, before they were repulsed and pushed back to the Nadapal area.

There were no immediate reports of deaths, but an SSPDF soldier was wounded during the incident.

Commenting on the matter, Minister Michael Makuei appealed to the citizens to cool down saying. the government is addressing the issue

“As spokesman of the government, I would like to inform the people that you cool down and it’s being addressed by the government,” Makuei told Eye Radio.

Last week, hundreds of Kapoeta East County residents peacefully demonstrated after Kenya deployed soldiers on the South Sudanese territory claiming that the border between the two countries is in the Nakodok area of Kapoeta East County.

The clashes come three days after the natives of Nadapal protested an alleged encroachment by Kenyan troops into South Sudan at the weekend.

On the same protest day, Kenya’s Cabinet Security of the country’s Interior and Administration Ministry flew to Turkana where he met with top security officers.